First trip from Delta to SF Bay

potis

potis

Active Member
Oct 15, 2006
143
San Ramon, CA
Boat Info
1998 400 DA Sundancer
"Soggy Dollar"
Engines
8.1L V-Drives
My wife and I have been on the Sacramento Delta with our 2000 340 for almost two years and while we have already logged over 200 hours in that time, we have not yet ventured down to the SF Bay with her, so we thought we would go this spring, probably early April. Looking on suggestions of best places to go with the boat over a 4-6 day trip, as well as any pointers on the trip. Thinking of the following so far as a basic plan:
  • At least one night in Alameda Estuary
  • Two night at Angel Island
  • One night in Sausalito
  • One night In SF, maybe South Beach Harbor
Thanks
 
My wife and I did that trip a bunch of years ago with our 340. Our first stop was Benicia as we had friends there. We spent the night in the harbor there, and had dinner with the friends at one of the local restaurants.

We left early the next morning for Pier 39 where we had a slip reserved. Just as we entered San Pablo bay we began to get our asses kicked. The wind was quite high and the chop was 3-4'. We slowed down to about 10 kts and slogged our way through. Once we got into the lee of the Marin Peninsula things calmed down a bit. It was cool to see the back side of Alcatraz and the different view it offers.

When we got to our slip at Pier 39 we tied up for the night and it was the worst night ever. We were on the west side of the pier. The surge wall was being replaced and there was nothing to stop the waves. We rocked all night, the lines and fenders made noise and the sea lions barked all night. It was awful and we got no sleep.

The next morning we were going to Sausalito and on the way we went out the Golden Gate into the open ocean about 5 miles and then back....just to say we did. When we got to Sausalito the harbor was so perfect that we changed the rest of our trip and stayed there. We were going to go from Sausalito to Oakland and stay in Jack London Square. But Sausalito was quiet, calm and there was so much to see and do there was no reason to move.

We looked at Angel Island but we did not have a dingy so we passed. When we left Sausalito to head back to Oxbow Marina the water was beautiful and we had an incoming tide so the currents were with us most of the way. I put the boat on plane at about 24 mph and didn't come off plane until the Mokelumne River Bridge. Sausalito to Oxbow in 3 1/2 hours.

For us, the nights in Sausalito were the best. That and just the trip itself were the highlights. Not advocating anything, just sharing. One last thing.... If you can, try and make the trip with the tide/currents. In some places the current can be strong and going with can make the trip a bit better and cheaper.

Have fun and take pictures.

Shawn
 
Your missing the best water in the bay right now.
Great trip IMHO would be Suisun City, nice little cruise up the slough and stay with us at Solano Yacht Club. Lots of restaurants in the Marina area, then cruise to Angle island for a night on the ball and then take a short trip over to South Beach Marina or the San Francisco City Marina and spend a day wandering the wharf. Then stop for lunch at Benicia or Pittsburg on the long cruise home.
The water on the bay in April can be quite rough and you need to pick your tide and wind conditions when transiting the San Pablo bay as it can be a wild ride as well.
We go to the bay two or three times a year and always have a blast. Hope to see you soon. Give me a shout and I’ll set you up on the club dock, best deal in town. O$
Cheers
 
Just came back Sunday from that trip. Pittsburg Yacht Club, Encinal Yacht Club (Alameda), South Beach (SF) and Marin Yacht Club in San Rafael. If you are in a Yacht Club the docking at all but South Beach is $0.50 per foot per night.
 
You should hook up with us sometime up in the Delta!
Carpediem44DB said:
Your missing the best water in the bay right now.
Great trip IMHO would be Suisun City, nice little cruise up the slough and stay with us at Solano Yacht Club. Lots of restaurants in the Marina area, then cruise to Angle island for a night on the ball and then take a short trip over to South Beach Marina or the San Francisco City Marina and spend a day wandering the wharf. Then stop for lunch at Benicia or Pittsburg on the long cruise home.
The water on the bay in April can be quite rough and you need to pick your tide and wind conditions when transiting the San Pablo bay as it can be a wild ride as well.
We go to the bay two or three times a year and always have a blast. Hope to see you soon. Give me a shout and I’ll set you up on the club dock, best deal in town. O$
Cheers
Click to expand...
 
Carpediem44DB said:
Your missing the best water in the bay right now.
Great trip IMHO would be Suisun City, nice little cruise up the slough and stay with us at Solano Yacht Club. Lots of restaurants in the Marina area, then cruise to Angle island for a night on the ball and then take a short trip over to South Beach Marina or the San Francisco City Marina and spend a day wandering the wharf. Then stop for lunch at Benicia or Pittsburg on the long cruise home.
The water on the bay in April can be quite rough and you need to pick your tide and wind conditions when transiting the San Pablo bay as it can be a wild ride as well.
We go to the bay two or three times a year and always have a blast. Hope to see you soon. Give me a shout and I’ll set you up on the club dock, best deal in town. O$
Cheers
Click to expand...
 
You should have a lot of fun. My wife and I along with some other Bridge Marine Yacht Club members did a "Down Bay Cruise" at the end of August early September, and had a blast!

Our first night we had dinner, and spent the night at the Vallejo Yacht Club. The next mourning we left for the Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda spending two night there, then off to the Berkeley Yacht Club where we spent two nights. Two more nights at the Marin Yacht Club, then finished off the event spending two more nights at the San Rafael Yacht Club.

We were seven boats strong, and had a ton of FUN! Good luck with your trip!!
 
Last edited:
NorCal Boater said:
My wife and I did that trip a bunch of years ago with our 340. Our first stop was Benicia as we had friends there. We spent the night in the harbor there, and had dinner with the friends at one of the local restaurants.

We left early the next morning for Pier 39 where we had a slip reserved. Just as we entered San Pablo bay we began to get our asses kicked. The wind was quite high and the chop was 3-4'. We slowed down to about 10 kts and slogged our way through. Once we got into the lee of the Marin Peninsula things calmed down a bit. It was cool to see the back side of Alcatraz and the different view it offers.

When we got to our slip at Pier 39 we tied up for the night and it was the worst night ever. We were on the west side of the pier. The surge wall was being replaced and there was nothing to stop the waves. We rocked all night, the lines and fenders made noise and the sea lions barked all night. It was awful and we got no sleep.

The next morning we were going to Sausalito and on the way we went out the Golden Gate into the open ocean about 5 miles and then back....just to say we did. When we got to Sausalito the harbor was so perfect that we changed the rest of our trip and stayed there. We were going to go from Sausalito to Oakland and stay in Jack London Square. But Sausalito was quiet, calm and there was so much to see and do there was no reason to move.

We looked at Angel Island but we did not have a dingy so we passed. When we left Sausalito to head back to Oxbow Marina the water was beautiful and we had an incoming tide so the currents were with us most of the way. I put the boat on plane at about 24 mph and didn't come off plane until the Mokelumne River Bridge. Sausalito to Oxbow in 3 1/2 hours.

For us, the nights in Sausalito were the best. That and just the trip itself were the highlights. Not advocating anything, just sharing. One last thing.... If you can, try and make the trip with the tide/currents. In some places the current can be strong and going with can make the trip a bit better and cheaper.

Have fun and take pictures.

Shawn
Click to expand...

Our yacht club (Bridge Marine Yacht Club) is having a cruise out to Oxbow Marina this Friday, maybe we'll see you at the club.

Ken
 
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TALON said:
Our yacht club (Bridge Marine Yacht Club) is have a cruise out to Oxbow Marina this Friday, maybe we'll see you at the club.

Ken
Click to expand...
Thank you Ken, that would be nice however, my wife and I left California last year for the New Orleans area. My wife's desire to be close to her family after 28 years away and my pending retirement brought us here where the retirement $$$$ will go much further.

Shawn
 
Thanks everyone for the great feedback and information. We do know that right now (Sept - Nov) is one of the best times to make this trip, but timing just didn't work out. We have now picked the April date because a trip we had planned then had to be cancelled due to hurricanes, so we have the week open. We also want to do a cruise up to Old Sac too this spring.

We won't be at Oxbow this weekend, have trip planned to Pismo Beach. We go every year for the Clam Festival! We are usually at our boat about 3 out of 4 weekends, year round, rain or shine, so hopefully we will run into you one day.

ken - you might know my in-laws, Paul & Joanne Sharps?
 
Just moved a friend's boat to San Francisco-Richmond for some bottom paint and some electronics upgrades-will probably be berthed at The Cove-2004 Formula 40PC-twin 8.1's-Kohler generator-well outfitted- what would be a good 2-3 day trip-name of some marinas and night spots for dinner?
 
Just booked South Beach SF for this weekend for First Mate’s Birthday. Two nights in SF then a raft up with three other boats from the club at Angle Island and the nice cruise home on Sunday, looking forward to wonderful fall water on the Bay
 
Have fun at South Beach. That’s a trip I’ve been wanting to do. We are headed to Benicia next weekend from Willow Berm Marina. We were last there a couple years ago. It’s nice place to go because the downtown, with restaurants, shops, etc., is only a few blocks from the marina. Maybe we will see you on the way back on Sunday. Have a great trip!

Dan
 
You just may, we stop there for lunch on the way home to Suisun and their fuel is actually less than we pay at home. I’ll tank up on the way thru on Thursday.
Have a great time.
 
Benicia is dredging their marina right now and they advised we not stay with them. We were thinking Pittsburgh instead, but any other suggestions? Would like a place in that general area within walking distance of things to do (restaurants, shops, etc.).

Thanks,
Dan
 
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I was just in Benicia for fuel on my way to SF. Four boats from my club were overnighting on B dock, no problem.
Pittsburg is ok, it is just a short walk into the downtown. I’d still do Benicia though. Or cruise up to Suisun City plenty of restaurants and Jelly Belly Factory to boot.
 
Hmmm, I still wanted to go to Benicia, but when my wife called they told her the dredging was right next to B dock and loud. I guess I’ll decide in the morning. Others have mentioned suisun city, though. That might be an idea. Thanks.
 
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